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Neighbours Stars: Here are 13 superstars who got their big break on the Australian soap - from Kylie to Thor

David Hepburn
·4-min read
Some very famous faces got their big break on Australian soap opera Neighbours.
Some very famous faces got their big break on Australian soap opera Neighbours.

Neighbours had been a familar sight on television screens since 1985 when Channel 5's decision to stop screening the show led it to be cancelled.

A final episode broadcast in 2022 attracted huge audiences and some of the stars who had previously made their names on Ramsey Street, in the fictional Melbourne suburb or Erinsborough.

But, as ever in the world of soap operas, there was a twist - with Amazon channel Freevee picking up the programme late last year.

Before she was a pop princess, Kylie Minogue played tomboy Charlene in Neighbours, with her character's romance and eventual marriage to Jason Donovan's Scott providing the programmes highest ratings. Since then she has become the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, with over 80 million record sales worldwide. She's also starred in films like 'Holy Motors', 'The Delinquents' and 'Street Fighter'. Accolades include a Grammy and three Brits.

It's now back, with many of the familiar character aslo returning - including Susan Kennedy, Karl Kennedy, Toadie Rebecchi and Paul Robinson.

To celebrate, we're looking at some of the huge stars that have appeared on the programme over the years.

After playing Scott Robinson for for over 400 episodes between 1986 and 1989, Jason Donovan followed Kyle to the UK and pop stardom. His first album 'Ten Good Reasons' became the highest-selling record of 1989, with sales of over 1.5 million. Since then he's gone on to star in a string of West End musicals, including playing the lead character in 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'.
Margot Robbie's starring role in this year's record-breaking 'Barbie' film is just the latest in an amazing career that started with her playing Donna Freedman in Neighbours from 2008-2011. Other films in an impressive CV include 'Birds of Prey', 'I, Tonya', 'The Wolf of Wall Street', 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' and 'Bombshell'. The Oscar-nominated actress is also a respected film producer.
Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe has come a long way from playing Kenny Larkin in four episodes of Neighbours in 1987. He's now one of the biggest films stars in the world, thanks to films like 'Gladiator', 'A Beautiful Mind', 'State of Play', 'Robin Hood' and 'The Insider'.
Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe has come a long way from playing Kenny Larkin in four episodes of Neighbours in 1987. He's now one of the biggest films stars in the world, thanks to films like 'Gladiator', 'A Beautiful Mind', 'State of Play', 'Robin Hood' and 'The Insider'.
Guy Pearce played Mike Young during the golden era of the show from 1986–89, alongside Kylie and Jason. His big screen break came in 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert', followed by 'L.A Confidential' opposite fellow Ramsey aluminus Russell Crowe. Since then films like 'Memento', 'The Hurt Locker', 'Iron Man 3' and 'The King's Speech' have seen him hailed as the best actor never to be nominated for an Oscar. He has, however, still won a Golden Globe and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.
He's now best known for playing god Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but back in 2002 Chris Hemsworth appeared in a single episode of Neighbours as a character called Jamie Kane.
He's now best known for playing god Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but back in 2002 Chris Hemsworth appeared in a single episode of Neighbours as a character called Jamie Kane.
Liam Hemsworth hung around Ramsay Street for longer than his superhero brother - playing Josh Taylor from 2007-2008. He's not quite as successful as Chris, but has still made a splash in Hollywood in films like 'The Hunger Games', 'Independence Day: Resurgence', 'Poker Face' and 'The Expendables 2'.
Liam Hemsworth hung around Ramsay Street for longer than his superhero brother - playing Josh Taylor from 2007-2008. He's not quite as successful as Chris, but has still made a splash in Hollywood in films like 'The Hunger Games', 'Independence Day: Resurgence', 'Poker Face' and 'The Expendables 2'.
Kylie is by no means the only female pop star to come out of Erinsborough. Playing Beth Brennan from 1992-1993, Natalie Imbruglia topped charts worldwide with song 'Torn'. Her debut album, 'Left of the Middle' , sold seven million copies and she released five subsequent albums, winning eight ARIA Awards, two Brits, one Billboard Music Award, and three Grammy nominations.
Yet another Ramsey Street chart-topper (and not the last), Delta Goodrem played Nina Tucker on Neighbours from 2002-2003. Her debut album, 'Innocent Eyes', is the second-best-selling Australian album of all time, shifting over four million copies. She's had a remarkable 17 top 10 hits in her native Australia.
Yet another Ramsey Street chart-topper (and not the last), Delta Goodrem played Nina Tucker on Neighbours from 2002-2003. Her debut album, 'Innocent Eyes', is the second-best-selling Australian album of all time, shifting over four million copies. She's had a remarkable 17 top 10 hits in her native Australia.
The actor who played Jim Robinson for eight years between 1985 until 1993 is now a familiar face on the big screen. Since his soap days Alan Dale has been cast in the likes of 'Star Trek: Nemesis', 'Hollywood Homicide', 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull', 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' and 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'. Small screen outings have included '24', 'The O.C.' and 'Ugly Betty'.
When Holly Valance's character Felicity 'Flick' Scully moved to New York in 2002, having featured in the soap for three year, chart success soon followed. Her debut album, 'Footprints' produced three top 10 singles, including 'KIss Kiss'. She also starred in television hit 'Prison Break'.
When Holly Valance's character Felicity 'Flick' Scully moved to New York in 2002, having featured in the soap for three year, chart success soon followed. Her debut album, 'Footprints' produced three top 10 singles, including 'KIss Kiss'. She also starred in television hit 'Prison Break'.
Fan favourite Jesse Spencer played Billy Kennedy in the soap opera from 1994 to 2000. Global success followed with a role in medical drama 'House' alongside Hugh Lawrie. He aslo stars in 'Chicago Fire'.
Fan favourite Jesse Spencer played Billy Kennedy in the soap opera from 1994 to 2000. Global success followed with a role in medical drama 'House' alongside Hugh Lawrie. He aslo stars in 'Chicago Fire'.
Yet another Neighbour to end up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - playing alien Talos - Ben Mendelsohn played Warren Murphy for two years between 1986–1987. A highly-rated character actor, aside from the superhero films, he's starred in a string of blockbusters including 'The Dark Knight Rises', 'Starred Up', 'Rogue One', 'Darkest Hour' and 'Ready Player One'.